Summer Cinema

Summer is the season of movies, and this year holds a promising lineup.

To ease your efforts in narrowing down the selection, here are five films from a variety of genres that may or may not be on your list.

“Dark Phoenix”

Now playing in theaters

Why not kick off the summer with a film you can go and see right now?

The latest installation in the X-Men series focuses on the most powerful member of the team: Jean Grey (or “Dark Phoenix”), played by Sophie Turner.

Grey, who is experiencing a personal struggle with powers that she doesn’t fully understand, must deal with an intense case of split-personality as she attempts to balance good and evil.

Caught in the middle of conflict, Grey must choose between identities with the help of her friends no matter the fallout.

Featuring a host of familiar heroes from the team including Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and Professor X (James McAvoy), “Dark Phoenix” will prove a flashy chapter of the X-Men saga that fans won’t want to miss out on.

“Men In Black: International”

Now playing in theaters

Also just hitting theaters is the fourth film in the Men In Black franchise since 2012.

The movie continues a hilarious tradition that began in 1997 with actors Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones playing secret agents assigned to protect the Earth from other-wordly aliens. This follow-up, however, will see a new cast of characters venturing outside of the states to confront a universal danger.

Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson will take the reins as Agents H and M respectively, for a mission that appears larger-scale than anything tackled before, including a possible menace threatening the Men In Black from within.

Also joining the cast is Liam Neeson (“Cold Pursuit,” “Schindler’s List”), who will star as one of the many higher-ups in the organization.

The film’s tagline states “The universe is expanding” — and judging by the enduring legacy of the series, so should the levels of action and humor.

“Armstrong”

In theaters July 12

In October 2018, “First Man” starred Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. In March, audiences saw the release of “Apollo 11,” a documentary about the same mission.

This July, you can experience the best of both worlds with “Armstrong,” a brand new documentary about the “first man” himself featuring archival footage and interviews with those who knew him best.

Narrated by Harrison Ford (“Star Wars,” “Blade Runner”), the film will take viewers on a journey through history to examine the life of the man who became an out-of-this-world legend.

Rich with humanity, the film should prove a poignant celebration of the month’s 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

In theaters July 26

Quentin Tarantino is back for his ninth film, and it already looks like a winner.

Set in Los Angeles during the swinging late ‘60s, the story follows fictional actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) alongside his friend and stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) as they navigate life inside and outside of the silver screen an ever-evolving city.

Stylish sets and accurate imagery of the era grace the trailer, promising a picture-perfect backdrop for this retro romp.

The flick will also portray an array of real-life personalities, such as Damian Lewis in the visually-fitting role of film star Steve McQueen, and Margot Robbie as actress Sharon Tate — whose real life took a tragic turn.

But considering the dramatic liberties Tarantino has taken with history in the past, who knows what will happen in “Hollywood?”

“Ad Astra”

In theaters Sept. 20

When the last few days of summer finally roll around, you can wrap it up by seeing this sleek sci-fi flick starring Brad Pitt.

Pitt, who stars as astronaut Roy McBride, is on a bold quest to search for his father, Clifford — played by Tommy Lee Jones.

In the process, questions must be answered that could determine the fate of the Earth.

The trailer, which blends futuristic, edge-of-your-seat scenarios with an intense remix of Beethoven’s melancholy “Moonlight Sonata,” sets the scene for a foreboding adventure that may very likely turn sinister.

The September blockbuster will also star Donald Sutherland (“The Hunger Games,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”).

“Ad Astra” is sure to pack tension, action and mystery into a chilling package that has the potential to be everything science-fiction should be.